I hosted my Wednesday night trivia game at the Van Patten Golf Course in Clifton Park last night. Seven teams competing, with the winning team actually comprised of Shen high school alumni returning for their reunion. Fun night.
On the way home, I thought I’d stop at Stewart’s and pick up a quick bite. There’s two Stewart’s Shops between the golf course and I-87, with the first one having an inclined ramp that leads to their gas pumps and store. Figured I’d stop there.
But as I approached the Stewart’s … I saw something. A Hyundai Santa Fe in the middle of the ramp, almost completely blocking my access to the parking lot. I carefully drove around the car and made it to the parking lot safely.
As I passed the car, I noticed the driver walking over to the gas pumps. In his hand was a small red plastic gas can container. What rotten luck, I thought. Dude ran out of gas just as he tried to make it to the pump.
But he’s in a dangerous spot. All it takes is one car coming in from a bad angle – you’ve got a fender-bender right there.
I parked my car and walked back to the stranded driver. “We need to get your car out of that area,” I said, “before someone hits you.”
“I have no gas,” he replied. “The car is dead.”
“Well, you’re not safe in this spot. Get in your car, put it in neutral, and let’s get you pushed to the gas pumps.”
Now, mind you – a Hyundai Santa Fe is a very large car. And it’s already on an incline. And last time I checked, I did not possess an overdose of gamma radiation that triggered strength when I became angry or outraged. So I couldn’t push this car by myself.
But I saw a couple of other patrons at the Stewart’s, and I motioned to them, “Hey, can you give me a hand and let’s get this guy pushed to the pumps.”
Two other men joined me on the push. And after explaining to the driver how to put the car in neutral, the three of us slowly pushed the car up the incline towards safety. Good deed done for the evening.
Man, I felt that in my lower back. But the pain was quickly tempered by the knowledge that I helped someone in distress. One of the other men stuck around to make sure the driver had enough gas to restart his car. I went into the shop for my snacks. And a couple of extra snacks as a reward.
The point of this story? Do a good deed when you can. Help out whenever possible. We only get one journey upon this planet, and once our time is done, there’s no brass ring capture to give us a second ride. The person you help today will certainly pass on that kindness to someone else. Pay it forward. Make it matter.
And in the end, that good deed will make the universe smile.
Chuck The Writer 